Blogging & the whole

Web 2.0 Social Media

buzzWhy all the fuss?

@arickard

noun: blog (blŏg) Etymology: short for ‘Web log’ (we)blog

a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer; also the contents of such a site

1990s -> WWW = WorldWideWeb… Static, one way websites source of information

(Global library)

Since 2004: the terms Web 2.0 and Read/Write Web are used

(Global conversation!)

Web 1.0?

So why would ateacher use a blog?

•Develop students’ key skills: Research; Presentation, Evaluation

•Understanding the way new media work•Practice appropriate online behaviour•Connect to students’ interests & creativity•Learning beyond the classroom walls•Future learning/employment needs: Collaboration, Interaction & sensitivity to cultural difference

Reasons it matters in teaching...

Useful for

teachers...

Record of assignments (online filing cabinet)Showcase student work (multi-media projects)Promote peer assessment (comments feature)Be in control of content (no waiting for tech support!)Promote independent study (post material for students eg: on ‘snow days’)Be transparent (visible to parents)Motivate and engage reluctant learners…

My dog ate my blog…

Safety & child protectionFree blog services:

– Links to inappropriate material (on other blogs)

Netiquette: – Guard against

unwelcome comments

AdvertisingNot on the exam!

Online safety

No full names: (first names, initials or

aliases)Avatars not pictures No personal informationGet parental permission(ensure school’s ICT policy includes parental permission for online projects)

Blog contract/ Netiquette rules/Acceptable User Policy (AUP)

NetiquetteRule 1: Remember the Human

Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behaviour online

that you follow in real life

Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace

Rule 4: Respect other people's time & bandwidth

Rule 5: Make yourself look good online

Rule 6: Share expert knowledge

Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control

Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy

Rule 9: Don't abuse your power

Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes

more

Sample blogs in Irish schools

The Frogbloghttp://www.frogblog.ie

Anyone4science?http://anyone4science.blogspot.com

Leaving Cert English: http://leavingcertenglish.net

KH Spanish (Susan Leahy)http://pancomido.wordpress.com

Mr Kendall Recommendshttp://tkendall.edublogs.org/

…/…

Blogging services.

..

Generally:– Blogger https://www.blogger.com (blogspot)– WordPress - http://wordpress.com (.org)– Posterous - http://posterous.com– Pen.io http://pen.io …

For Teaching: – Edmodo - http://www.edmodo.com – Kidblog - http://kidblog.org– Weebly http://education.weebly.com

Further reading… on blogsTeacher tips: Tips on bloggingStep by step: Everything you need to knowSocial network sites not the problem

Will Richardson … willrichardson.comJoe Dale ICT for MFL (see Joe’s blogroll)